This past Fall, MRSA found its way into the local and national media. We at SUNY Cortland have continued to work very hard to combat this bacterium and to prevent it from becoming a problem here on campus. Please visit our website for more information about MRSA and our response to this issue. Please remind your sons and daughters that the best way to protect themselves from this illness is by following general hygiene principles, particularly frequent hand washing.

We would also like to remind you and students that Student Health Service cannot give written excuses from class for short term illnesses. However, when dealing with long term absences, it is critical that students involve Student Health Service soon enough that proper procedures can be followed regarding prolonged absences and leaves if necessary.

Last but not least, a frequent source of contention here at Student Health Service is privacy rights. Parents, please remember that your children, if age 18 or over, are legal adults and therefore have all the rights associated with that legal status. Therefore, privacy laws which preclude the dissemination of medical information to anyone without a patient's permission include college students. We cannot talk to or give any information to parents without the student/patient's permission, which is generally required in writing. This can be an unfortunate complication sometimes, but it is the law. Please rest assured however that under emergency or life threatening situations related to your son or daughter we will definitely keep you informed.